Spiritfarer Reviews
Spiritfarer is a nice looking, but mostly dull, resource management game that tries to integrate a unique setting with base-building mechanics. Its characters don't get enough development time for you to care for them, while they demand material comforts. The glacial pacing and repetitive gameplay make this an experience that only a select few will enjoy.
Spiritfarer is a fun little game, and it will keep you busy for quite a while. I’ve been playing for over 30 hours, and that’s not 100% completion of everything in the game. It tells a touching tale about death, but does so while not being sappy. The game also features a number of Steam achievements. Overall, it’s still a pretty good game, though. Spiritfarer is available on Steam (and other platforms) for $29.99. Can you help all of the lost souls pass on and reach the end of your own story?
The prospect of finding another game that cleverly establishes emotion rather than just throwing a sad pianist into the background and bombarding the player with frowny faces was appealing to me, and it lived up to that promise in most respects. Still, I can’t say that I found Spiritfarer particularly touching; the underlying premise of growing attached to a bunch of characters before shepherding them to death’s door (literally) has potential, but in practice, the gameplay is so distractingly repetitive and the writing so wordy that only a third of the passengers made me feel anything but irritation. This is a brilliant 5-hour game that completely loses focus by insisting on lasting for 20+ hours.
Whether it's down to the sharp, intelligent writing, or fantastic hand-drawn style and animation, Spiritfarer has a charm that could be described as almost Disney-eque… well, maybe that would be true if the first passenger Stella encounters wasn't a chain smoking deer. That charm is without a doubt [i]Spiritfarer[i/]s best asset, and something that many will latch on to consciously or subconsciously when coming to their own judgement on its quality. Yes, it can be slow and repetitive, but that is also part of the point. The 2D take on a life-sim is a path less travelled for the genre, and unique in this instance. It creates an appealing world wherein the developer has gone to great efforts to flesh it out, and make it feel lived in. It all hangs together very nicely, indeed.
I didn’t hate or dislike my time with the Spiritfarer at all. There were moments of beauty in there, and in some cases there were such honest depictions of death that you don’t see in many other games. But there was so much more that I wish the game did.
A beautiful experience, filled with varied and engaging content, wrapped in gorgeous art and music, and populated with memorable characters and moments that will stay with you for a lifetime.
Spiritfarer stands out as a real breath of fresh air arriving at the right time, after big video game releases at the start of the year (The Last of Us Part II, Ghost of Tsushima etc) and those still to come with the next-gen. Its varied gameplay makes the experience interesting.. Its artistic direction and soundtrack give a relaxing and pleasant touch to the game, while its main subject is touching, even sad. Thunder Lotus manages to offer a relatively difficult speech with accuracy and brilliance
Review in French | Read full review
A beautiful story in a beautiful world. It's simple, but has lots of feeling and imagination to it, and it's full of memorable moments. On the other hand, it can feel a bit of a chore at times, and drags on for a bit too long.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Spiritfarer has the body of a seafaring exploration game, the mind of a management sim, and the soul of an emotional journey depicting love, loss, and grief. With gorgeous visuals and a soundtrack to match, Spiritfarer is pleasing to the senses while providing a core loop that’s easy to get lost in.
Do not rush Spiritfarer in any way. Just embrace it. Look at it as an experience that you can enjoy deeply for some weeks. An Indie Video Game that is certainly not for everyone. But If you can accept some down moments, the sadness, the happiness, and weirdness of it, You are going to get 30 hours of meaningful entertainment that is worth your money.
Review in Persian | Read full review
Spiritfarer is a game that brightens death, a dark and touchy subject. When playing, you will learn to say goodbye to the ones you love, and to enjoy every moment with those around you.
A truly pleasant game, Spiritfarer balances undemanding platforming, gentle exploration and forgiving resource management with a beautifully-realised world with a cast full of charming, likeable, memorable characters.
In key moments, however, Spiritfarer always manages to take back the reins with grace, to enhance its themes and its message. And this is certainly a great merit.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Spiritfarer is a unique indie title, that is impossible to put into one single genre. There's so much to see here - from exquisite style and great ideas, to a heartwarming and clever writing.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Spiritfarer is a game with a lot of moving parts, but most of its elements are well handled. Progression comes at a good pace as you upgrade Stella's ship, her abilities, and build relationships with a colourful crew. The crafting minigames are a weak spot, and the writing doesn't always land, but there's a lot to like about this maritime management title.
Blending both adventure and management sim, the player cares for these characters and wanders into the wonder of this world, which lights up with each new island discovered. It explores the role of both parties in death; is it the responsibility of the spirit or the Spiritfarer to sew together the uncomfortable threads of loss?
Spiritfarer has a soft, caring, bittersweet tone that I've rarely encountered in video games. For a game all about death and dying, I only ever felt calm and relaxed when playing it. The management gameplay is varied and engaging, and even though the scope if it leads to the game getting a bit too long in the tooth, it helps connect the incredibly emotional story beats together so well. Mix that up with its beautiful art style and enchanting music, and you've got one of the most emotional management games I've ever played.
Spiritfarer is a cozy game about helping spirits move on. Its wide scope of systems and resources can sometimes get in its own way, but when working in harmony it unveils a touching narrative, all the while adorned by gorgeous art. Best enjoyed in small pieces, Spiritfarer is a warm and inviting world to get lost in, with the occasional emotional gut punch for good measure.
Spiritfarer taps into the fun of farming/lifestyle simulations, but adds a unique story layer that sets it apart
Spiritfarer is a management title where its key pieces are narrative and artistic section. A highly recommended adventure that will take you a while to forget.
Review in Spanish | Read full review